Abstract:
Air pollution is associated with premature mortality and a wide spectrum of diseases.
Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is one of the most concerning sources of air pollution for human
exposure and health. Until TRAP levels can be significantly reduced on a global scale, there is a
need for effective shorter-term strategies to prevent the adverse health effects of TRAP. A growing
number of studies suggest that increasing antioxidant intake, through diet or supplementation, may
reduce this burden of disease. In this paper, we conducted a non-systematic literature review to
assess the available evidence on antioxidant-rich diets and antioxidant supplements as a strategy
to mitigate adverse health effects of TRAP in human subjects. We identified 11 studies that fit
our inclusion criteria; 3 of which investigated antioxidant-rich diets and 8 of which investigated
antioxidant supplements. Overall, we found consistent evidence that dietary intake of antioxidants
from adherence to the Mediterranean diet and increased fruit and vegetable consumption is effective
in mitigating adverse health effects associated with TRAP. In contrast, antioxidant supplements,
including fish oil, olive oil, and vitamin C and E supplements, presented conflicting evidence. Further
research is needed to determine why antioxidant supplementation has limited efficacy and whether
this relates to effective dose, supplement formulation, timing of administration, or population being
studied. There is also a need to better ascertain if susceptible populations, such as children, the
elderly, asthmatics and occupational workers consistently exposed to TRAP, should be recommended
to increase their antioxidant intake to reduce their burden of disease. Policymakers should consider
increasing populations’ antioxidant intake, through antioxidant-rich diets, as a relatively cheap and
easy preventive measure to lower the burden of disease associated with TRAP.
